Full Outsourcing V Co-Sourcing by Internal Audit Services

• Expertise that comes from a service that is exclusive to the credit union sector.
• Audit work that is subject to peer review by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
• Structural independence.
• Experienced auditors with credit union background and relevant qualifications.
• Font of shared expertise amongst IAS Team Members.
• Enthusiasm to share best practice confidentially between credit union clients.
• Established lines of communication with the regulator.
• Fee structure that is based on cost recovery only from being a part of the credit union movement.

At the same time, co-sourcing is now being promoted as a viable alternative to full outsourcing.

Co-Sourcing Explained

With co-sourcing, IAS comes to an arrangement with management at an individual credit union, or a group of credit unions (subject to Board approval), to second suitably qualified local staff members to IAS to form a co-operative internal audit function. The audit work would come under the supervision and oversight of a Senior Auditor in IAS and would be undertaken at locations in the seconded staff’s area where they have not performed any day-to-day credit union activity.  That proviso allows seconded credit union staff to act independently and objectively in the performance of their audit duties together with IAS staff and, most importantly, they will be enjoying one of the most rewarding on-the-job learning experiences available in any financial services model.

Co-sourcing is not new.  It forms part of a tried and tested audit methodology that is already in use in many industries and in financial services globally.  The credentials of IAS staff are now firmly established. IAS is proud of the contribution being made to the key foundations of Strong Governance, Risk Mitigation and Operational Efficiency.  Hence the desire to introduce co-sourcing to the credit union movement. IAS believes this is a progressive and efficient model of internal audit provision which synergises perfectly with the co-operative ethos of credit unions.

Co-operation and Co-Sourcing

A credit union plus IAS in a co-sourced arrangement leads to partnering; this drives efficiencies and greater understanding of risks and internal controls.

Co-sourcing has all the benefits of full outsourcing, and more. It will help to construct a vibrant pool of talent with an ability to share and implement best practice across the movement and it will improve co-operation amongst credit unions availing of the services of IAS; a worthy aspiration for any service offering within the movement.  But the piece de resistance has to be the clear efficiencies that flow from such a mutually beneficial arrangement; efficiencies that will drive substantially lower fees and streamline audit output with no diminution in quality assessment and reporting the auditee who, after all, is the key party in all of this.

Benefits for auditees in the co-sourcing model, as cited by major IA service providers who are affiliated to the Institute of Internal Auditors, include:

• Improved Business Operations and Efficiencies.
• Access to Specialised Knowledge and Skills.
• Access to Independent and Objective Insights.
• Greater understanding of the Components of Risk Assessment.

Aligned to the IAS Vision and Goals

To give you a better idea as to how the credit union ethos is embedded at IAS, below are a selection of the slides recently presented at the ILCU AGM in Killarney. These highlight the IAS Vision and Goals as a specialist provider of internal audit services exclusively to the credit union movement.